Konoha Notes

Chapter 382 Choice
With Itachi's birthday over, it also means that there is less than a week left before the official convening of the Ninja Village Joint Conference.

When Shuji entered the Joint Affairs Bureau building, he could sense that the density of people in the lobby had increased by at least twice as much as the last time he came.

Ninjas wearing different headbands walked hurriedly.

He went inside.

Kakashi's office door was wide open.

He was standing behind his desk, holding a document stamped with an "urgent" red seal, and quickly talking to two ninjas wearing Kusagakure headbands in front of him.

After they left, Shuji entered the office and, without disturbing Kakashi who was still quickly writing annotations, sat down directly on the sofa by the window.

For the next half hour, new people came and old people left, until no one was waiting anymore.

The silver-haired Jonin glanced at the schedule before closing the door.

The soft click of the latch engaging was particularly clear in the office.

He walked back to his desk, leaned back, and sank into the large leather chair, tilting his head back with the back of his head against the top of the chair back, letting out a long, slow breath.

“It was at this moment,” Kakashi said with his eyes closed, “that he realized how important it is to have a good chair.”

“Should we advertise this? There should be sponsors interested. ‘The same office chair used by the head of the Joint Affairs Bureau, boosting your ninja career’—sounds good,” Shuuji said.

"Forget it, being photographed will only make things more complicated. If you're here to see Itachi, he's out coordinating temporary accommodations for the participating ninja villages."

Kakashi opened his eyes and glanced at him sideways.

"If you're coming to see me, you'd better bring news that there will be additional reinforcements."

Shuji shifted to a more relaxed sitting position, resting his elbows on the sofa armrests: "Mr. Shikaku's son is a good candidate."

Kakashi recalled for a moment: "Wasn't he only eight years old?"

“Yes, so you’ll have to wait a little longer. The administrative department also needs the remaining usable staff. Training people takes time,” Xiuji said.

“There aren’t many ninjas who are good at copywriting, and when working in a place like the Joint Affairs Bureau, their level of skill as ninjas can’t be too low. Screening takes time, and handover takes even more time.”

Unable to receive good news, Kakashi pulled a neatly arranged booklet from the pile of documents on the table and pushed it to the edge of the table.

"This is the latest list and basic information of the participating ninja villages. Apart from Yugakure, all registered ninja villages around the Land of Fire have confirmed their participation."

Shuji stood up, took the booklet, and opened it.

My gaze lingered on the entry for Otogakure (Hidden Sound Village).

Kakashi knew what he would focus on and said, "Otogakure formally submitted its application to the Joint Affairs Bureau three days ago. According to your idea, any ninja village that is willing to participate can participate."

Shuji didn't refute, but instead asked, "What are your thoughts?"

Kakashi calmly stated, "Over the past year, all the reports submitted by the Anbu have pointed to the same conclusion: the Fuuma clan, who are now operating under the name of Otogakure, have a very clear objective: to establish a foothold in the Land of Rice Fields and seek a space for survival."

"Even if they are indeed connected with Orochimaru, whether their goal is to revive their clan or simply to survive, accepting them into the alliance system would actually make it easier to monitor them and make it easier to turn them to our side at some point in the future."

"After all, compared to vague promises, tangible mission assignments, a stable source of income, and the security guarantee backed by the five major ninja villages are much more attractive to a small ninja clan."

Shuji nodded and put the booklet back on the table.

“Do as you say. Just keep a regular watchful eye during the meeting; there’s no need to target them specifically. If they really are just ordinary ninja clans seeking survival… then the alliance should have a place for them.”

"clear."

Kakashi pushed another document over. This one had a yellow label on the cover that read "Yugakure - Supplementary Information".

"As for Yugakure... this is their new reply, which includes preliminary information on that rogue ninja."

Shuji opened the document. The first page contained a handwritten letter from the leader of Yugakure Village, the wording respectful and reserved, the handwriting so neat it resembled a calligraphy practice book.

The gist of the message is, "I did not wish to trouble you with such trivial matters, but the situation is indeed in danger of worsening," followed by a tactful request that, "If it is convenient for you, could you provide appropriate guidance and assistance?"

The information about that rogue ninja only begins on the second page.

Hidan...

“If that’s all,” Shuji closed the file and looked up, “then the information provided by Yugakure is incomplete—or rather, they themselves may not have fully grasped the danger posed by this rogue ninja.” Kakashi raised an eyebrow slightly: “You mean?”

"He should still possess physical immortality."

"Conventional fatal wounds, internal organ injuries, and bleeding injuries are ineffective. Only structural damage to the limbs can control his movements."

"In addition, the evil god cult's system of techniques includes a ritualistic ninjutsu that involves obtaining the opponent's blood and then cursing the opponent by self-harm."

"It needs to be used in a specific formation."

Kakashi gave him a deadpan look: "Where did you get all this information from... never mind, you have a lot of connections anyway."

Should we grant the request for reinforcements?

“I agree,” Shuji said. “Yugakure is a model ninja village that has already completed its transformation. The existence of such a template will be beneficial for the future.”

"As for their ulterior motives... besides testing the Joint Affairs Bureau's reaction speed, they probably want to use us to quickly quell the unrest caused by the rogue ninja incident."

"After all, in the current situation, the reputation brought by hot springs alone cannot completely offset tourists' distrust of their safety capabilities."

“After the joint team goes there, regardless of whether they catch anyone or not, they can still announce to the outside world that ‘Yugakure has returned to peace.’ This is crucial for their tourism industry.”

Kakashi nodded and added another line at the end of the note: "Publicity Cooperation - Declaration of Peaceful Restoration".

"Understood. I will draw personnel from the recently rested secret service team, and we will draft a deployment plan this afternoon."

“Hmm.” Shuuji then stood up. “By the way, information about Hidan—especially his ‘immortality’ and the characteristics of his cursed arts—should be released directly to the public, including in the routine security briefings for the other participating ninja villages.”

"After all, he's a troublesome character who can easily catch someone off guard. There's no need to hide him."

“I will remind the intelligence department,” Kakashi replied.
-
As Shuji stepped out of Kakashi's office and closed the door, a figure suddenly appeared in front of him.

Mitarashi Anko stood with her hands on her hips, tilting her head back and glaring at Shuji.

"Captain, you didn't tell me I'd be this busy before you sent me here."

"Didn't Mr. Jiraiya come to help?"

“It’s not much easier at all!” Hongdou raised a finger. “The title of assistant is not enough; it’s completely useless.”

"Anyone who comes can order 'Red Bean' around."

She got angrier and angrier as she spoke: "Even if we added a red bean assistant, it wouldn't make working any easier."

They will still say, 'Red Bean Assistant, could you please—'

Shuji waited quietly for her to finish speaking, then raised his hand and gently tapped her forehead with his knuckles.

thump.

The sound is crisp and clear.

Hongdou cried out, covering her forehead and taking a half-step back. Her eyes widened even more: "You hit me again!"

“Itachi and I have been slaves for so long,” Shuuji said calmly, “while you have rested for so long. So, don’t complain.”

Red Bean opened her mouth, but before she could make a sound, Xiu Si continued:
"You'll thank me decades from now."

"What are you grateful for?"

"I'm grateful that I didn't become too leisurely and stop exercising altogether, which led to muscle relaxation, a slowed metabolism, fat accumulation, and eventually turning me into a happy sweet potato."

“You always say that…” she muttered, her voice muffled, “I’d rather be a sweet potato. At least sweet potatoes don’t have to be bossed around every day.”

Despite her complaints, she turned around and walked slowly toward the testing room. After a few steps, she looked back again.

Shuji stood still and waved to her.

Hongdou pouted, but eventually turned back. Her deep purple ponytail swayed at the corner at the end of the corridor and disappeared.

(End of this chapter)